Using neural stem cells may provide a solution for spinal injuries previously deemed untreatable, as indicated by a new phase 1 trial confirming the safety of this method.
A Phase I clinical trial conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has confirmed the long-term safety and feasibility of using neural stem cell transplantation to address chronic spinal cord injuries. These serious injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis and currently have no cure. Over five years, the study observed four patients with chronic spinal cord injuries and found that two of them exhibited lasting signs of neurological improvement after receiving neural stem cell implants. This included enhancements in motor and sensory capabilities, as well as improved electromyography (EMG) results. Some participants also reported reduced pain levels.
Neural stem cell transplantation is a new technique aimed at various neurological conditions and injuries. It involves introducing human-derived stem cells into areas of the nervous system that are damaged or diseased. As these stem cells are sourced from human cells, this method holds promise for regenerating harmed tissue while integrating effectively into the nervous system.
The study indicated that all four patients managed the treatment well. Although the primary focus of this study was to evaluate safety and tolerability, the outcomes hint at the potential therapeutic benefits of neural stem cell transplantation for chronic spinal cord injuries. Encouraged by these findings, the researchers are now planning to launch a phase II clinical trial to further evaluate the treatment’s effectiveness.
The research, published in the December 17 issue of Cell Reports Medicine, was directed by Joseph Ciacci, M.D., a professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine and a neurosurgeon at UC San Diego Health, alongside Joel Martin, M.D., who was completing his residency in neurological surgery at UC San Diego at the time; he is now a neurosurgeon at Orlando Health. The study received funding from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), UC San Diego Alpha Stem Cell Clinic, and the Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center within the Sanford Stem Cell Institute.
